Does My Dog Need A Wheelchair? – Tulsa Animal Rehab & Wellness

Mobility Loss- Animal Wheelchairs/Carts

This can be a heartbreaking question to ask and can be on our minds for many different reasons. So let’s start with talking about what are dog wheelchairs used for:

Support when recovering from injury or surgery- It’s common to need some sort of assistive device after certain injuries or surgeries, especially depending on the patient’s age and body condition. From supportive sling to full support wheelchair, there are significant benefits to recovering with the properly chosen and fit support system.

Support with progressive mobility loss- Progressive mobility loss is a condition or disease that worsens and changes over the course of a dog’s diagnosis. Arthritis and muscle wasting in senior dogs can be a major cause of mobility decline as it affects 1 in 5 dogs. Although not a “mobility condition,” as canine cancer spreads, it can impact a dog’s strength, stamina, and ability to walk. There are other medical conditions like degenerative myelopathy that can cause progressive paralysis as well, where the focus becomes the best quality of life as the mobility declines.

Support with progressing rehab therapy exercises– Depending on the patient’s condition and situation, assistance is needed to help progress them safely through the beneficial exercises. When used properly by a trained canine rehabilitation therapist, wheelchairs and other assistive devices can be an important part of safely getting your canine companion up and going again.

Here are some other conditions that, depending on the severity and situation, may benefit from a canine cart/wheelchair or other assistive mobility device:

Mobility Decline in Senior Dogs- Arthritis Guide

Get The Info Guide

IVDD Info Guide

Most common serious back issue in dogs

Get The Info Guide

Hip Dysplasia Info Guide

Support in certain severe situations

Get The Info Guide

There are some things to consider that you may not have thought of, when it comes to having a wheelchair/cart as part of your dog’s care. Some things to consider are:

Has your dog ever worn a harness?

They will need to get used to one as a harness is what is needed to attach to most dog carts securely. It is important to move slowly to help them have positive associations with a harness and then the metal cart with wheels.

Do you have wide enough door frames, areas, walking paths available at home?

Not all spaces and situations work for wheelchairs/carts because of the width of space needed depending on the size of the dog. There are many environmental management changes that need to be considered with a dog with limited mobility with or without a cart, but the width of space is an additional measurement to consider before purchasing a cart (especially the larger sized).

Is your dog anxious about new, big, moving things?

You will need to work through cooperative care to help your dog overcome their fears before expecting them to use the cart. Email tulsarehabvet@gmail.com with any questions about your situation and Dr. Emily can talk about what best next steps we can take to help your anxious pup.

Have you talked to your primary care or physical rehab vet?

It is best to make sure that a veterinary professional has a relationship with you and your dog so that they can get the needed diagnostics and get an accurate diagnosis before moving forward with investing in a wheelchair. There can be consequences to using assistive devices like wheelchair/carts/harnesses incorrectly.

Who is your certified canine rehabilitation therapist?

It is important to make sure that your dog is getting the best life possible, so if your dog has a condition or injury that a veterinary professional recommends an assistive device (like a cart), you need to have a canine rehab therapist as part of your dog’s team. Without appropriate selection, maintenance, and guidance, carts can do more harm than good, unfortunately. Long term care plans can be made where, once stable, rehab visits can be as infrequent as just a few times a year to still achieve optimal outcomes for your family’s goals!

Below are some Free Information PDF’s provided by Walkin’Pets. This is one of the companies many veterinarians and rehab professionals trust. I personally also like the good they have done in so many communities with assistance programs and always improving for the next best fit.

Wheelchair5thingsPDF_WP-2 Download

progressive-mobility-loss-resource-guide Download

GetUsedtoWheelchairPDF_WP Download

PS- From Dr. Emily

I also have had to ask myself these hard questions before. I know the jumbled mix of thoughts and feelings that may be tumbling uncomfortably inside your heart & mind. You aren’t alone in this. Your canine companion needs you to be their amazing person you are being by asking these questions. You are doing it! Being the best pet parent you can be!

So, while there are many different and still valid professional opinions on this topic, what I hope you get most out of this today is that- this is a hard moment, but you aren’t alone. Reach out via email at tulsarehabvet@gmail.com when you are feeling a little overwhelmed with where to go with your questions about veterinary rehab.

The fact that you are taking the time to try to learn how you can help your fur family shows what a great pet parent you are, and I’m here to help. We can see what he best next steps may be.

With Love & Kindness,

Emily

All information on this website is intended for instruction and informational purposes only. The authors are not responsible for any harm or injury that may result. Significant injury risk is possible if you do not follow due diligence and seek suitable professional advice about your injury. No guarantees of specific results are expressly made or implied on this website.